Bird feeder with mixed seed feed port

ABSTRACT

A mesh feed port for a bird feeder comprises a plurality of intersecting members defining a periodic pattern of openings. The openings include a plurality of first openings sized to receive a seed of a first size in a predetermined orientation, a plurality of second openings sized to receive a seed of a second size distinct from the first size in a predetermined orientation, and a plurality of third openings sized to receive a seed of a third size distinct from the first size and the second size in a predetermined orientation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to the field of bird feeders, moreparticularly, to a multi-opening mesh feed port configured for use withmixed seed and to a bird feeder having at least one of such ports.

BACKGROUND

Bird feeders that house and dispense seed typically include a seedreservoir having at least one feed port or feed opening through whichbirds access seed in the reservoir. To reduce unwanted spillage of seed,bird feeders have recessed ports which prevent seeds from escaping dueto the distance the seed must be moved before it will fall out of thefeeder. However, the seeds are often difficult to reach through theport, inhibiting the feeding of smaller birds. Other types of feed portsare located proximate a floor or bottom of the feeder, requiring a birdto reach for the seed, and thus creating a level of deterrence. Feedports of the prior art are also subject to several other drawbacks,including frequent clogging resulting in disinterest in the feeder, aswell as to damage, such as by larger animals chewing on the ports togain access to the seed.

These and other drawbacks of prior art feed ports are furthercomplicated or worsened when mixed variety seed comprising a pluralityof different seed types is used in the feeder. Specifically, prior artfeed ports are not optimized for each of a plurality of discrete seedtypes, shapes and/or sizes. As such, they typically permit unnecessaryspillage of smaller seeds, are subject to more frequent clogging, and/orcreate unnecessary difficulties for a feeding bird to remove the seedvia the port.

Accordingly, a need exists for a bird feeder with an improved feed portspecifically adapted and optimized for use with mixed variety seed.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, the present disclosure is directed to a birdfeeder having a seed reservoir including a seed opening. A mesh ormulti-opening feed port or cover is arranged over the seed opening forretaining the seed within the reservoir, while permitting extraction ofthe seed through the openings by a feeding bird. In one embodiment, thefeed port is arranged generally vertically such that the plurality ofopenings thereof extend or open laterally into a side of the feeder,placing the seed in closer proximity to a feeding bird. The feed portincludes a plurality of intersecting horizontal and vertical members,such as metal wire segments, defining a periodic pattern of openings ofa plurality of predetermined sizes.

According to an embodiment, the feed port is adapted for use with mixedseed, with the openings of the feed port including a plurality of firstopenings sized to receive a seed of a first size, a plurality of secondopenings sized to receive a seed of a second size, and a plurality ofthird openings sized to receive a seed of a third size. The openings arearranged in an alternating manner such that openings of a predeterminedsize are not arranged directly adjacent to other openings of the samesize.

In one particularly advantageous embodiment, each of the plurality ofopenings is a parallelogram, such as a rectangle, with a portion of theplurality of openings comprising a vertical height greater than theirhorizontal width, and another portion comprising a vertical height lessthan their horizontal width. In one embodiment, the first openingscomprise square openings of a first size, the second openings comprisesquare openings of a second size greater than the first size, and thethird openings comprise rectangular openings of varying orientations. Ina preferred embodiment, the smallest dimension of each of the first,second and third openings is greater than the larger of the averagethickness or average width of a respective one of the first, second andthird seed sizes. Likewise, a diagonal dimension of the first, secondand third openings is less than the largest dimension of a respectiveone of the first, second and third seed sizes.

According to embodiments, the plurality of first, second and thirdopenings are arranged in rows and columns, with a first row of openingscomprising a row of alternating first openings and third openings. Asecond row of openings adjacent the first row comprises a row ofalternating second openings and third openings, with the third openingshaving an orientation distinct from an orientation of the third openingsin the first row. A first column of openings comprises a column ofalternating first openings and third openings, with a second column ofopenings adjacent the first column comprising a column of alternatingsecond openings and third openings. The third openings in the secondcolumn have an orientation distinct from an orientation of the thirdopenings in the first column. In the preferred embodiment, the feed portis bordered about its periphery with only the first columns and thefirst rows, and thus only the first and third openings.

A bird feeder according to another embodiment of the present disclosurecomprises one or more removable feed port assemblies fitted thereto.Each feed port assembly includes a port body defining a port opening. Amesh feed port according to the above embodiments is arranged within orotherwise covers the port opening. The feed port assembly may beselectively fitted over a corresponding opening formed in a housing ofthe feeder, permitting access to seed retained within the feeder throughthe port opening and the mesh feed port.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a bird feeder including a seedreservoir filled with a single seed variety and having a mesh feed portin accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a bird feeder including a seedreservoir filled with a mixed seed variety and having a mesh feed portin accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is an exemplary schematic representation of the patterned meshfeed port of FIGS. 1 and 2 having a plurality of periodic openings ofvarying predetermined size according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3B is a detailed representation of each of the plurality ofopenings of the mesh feed port of FIG. 3A.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are graphical representations of each of a pluralityof first, second and third seed types and their average dimensionsuseful for describing embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D are schematic representations of a plurality ofsizes and configurations of mesh feed ports according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another bird feeder having a pluralityof feed port assemblies in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a feed port assembly as shown in FIG. 6 ,including a mesh feed port and a perch in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that the embodiments described herein aredisclosed by way of illustration only. It is not intended that thedisclosure be limited in its scope to the details of construction andarrangement of components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. Also, in describing the preferredembodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake ofclarity. It is to be understood that each specific term includes alltechnical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish asimilar purpose.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an exemplary wild bird feeder 10 useful fordescribing embodiments of the present disclosure includes an outerhousing 20 and an inner housing 30. The inner housing 30 defines a seedreservoir or space 40 containing seed 100, in the exemplary embodiment,sunflower seeds 106 of general uniform size. The outer housing 20 andinner housing 30 may each comprise a generally cylindrical shape, withthe inner housing being removably insertable into the outer housing 20in a coaxial manner. The outer housing 20 includes one or more (e.g.,four) windows or seed access openings 22 defined radially about itscircumference. In the exemplary embodiment, each window 22 defines anarcuate rectangular opening, with adjacent windows separated in thecircumferential direction by a vertical section 23 of the outer housing20. Similarly, the inner housing 30 defines a corresponding plurality ofarcuate windows or seed access openings 32 aligned with the windows 22of the outer housing 20 in the radial direction. In this way,corresponding windows 22,23 define a continuous seed opening from theseed reservoir 40 of the inner housing 30 to the outside environment. Inone embodiment, the inner housing 30 may be constructed of a transparentmaterial, such as a clear polymer, and the outer housing 20 may beconstructed of painted or coated metal.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , the feeder 10 includes a mesh feed cover orport 50 which may be fitted over and covering each of the windows 32 ofthe inner housing 30 and/or the windows 22 of the outer housing 20. Eachfeed port 50 defines a mesh grating or grid spanning uniformly withinits outer periphery. The feed ports 50 are arranged generallyvertically, or parallel (coaxial) with the exterior vertical walls ofthe exterior and/or interior housings 20,30, such that the plurality ofopenings defined thereby extend or open into a side of the feeder 10 inthe horizontal direction. Specifically, the feed port 50 includes aplurality of intersecting vertical segments 52 and horizontal segments54 extending between adjoining peripheral segments, including top,bottom and lateral side segments. Each segment may be constructed oflengths of wire, such as round metal wire, with the intersecting jointsthereof welded, soldered or otherwise mechanically fixed to one another.In other embodiments, the mesh grating may be constructed via metalforming operations, such as by stamping or punching one or more material(e.g., metal) sheets. As shown in FIG. 2 , the intersecting vertical andhorizontal segments 52,54 of the feed port 50 define a pattern ofopenings of varying or multiple predetermined sizes. In the illustratedembodiment, each opening is sized to correspond to a predeterminedaverage size and/or shape of one seed type of a plurality of seeds 100of a mixed seed variety, including millet or milo seeds 102, sunflowerkernels 104 and black oil sunflower seeds 106.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, the mesh feed port 50 includes a plurality offirst openings 55 sized to receive a seed of a first size and type, aplurality of second openings 56 sized to receive a seed of a second sizeand type, and a plurality of third openings 57,57′ sized to receive aseed of a third size and type. The plurality of openings 55,56,57 arearranged in an alternating manner such that like-sized openings are notarranged directly adjacent (i.e., directly above, below, or laterallyfrom) one another. According to embodiments, each of the openingscomprises a quadrilateral shape, and more particularly a parallelogram,such as a square, rectangle and/or diamond shape. In the exemplaryembodiment, the first openings 55 comprise square openings of a firstsize, the second openings 56 comprise square openings of a second sizegreater than the first size, and the third openings 57,57′ compriserectangular openings. As shown, a first portion of the third openings 57are arranged in a first orientation, with their width greater than theirvertical height, and a second portion of the third openings 57′ arearranged in a second orientation, with their vertical height greaterthan their horizontal width.

The plurality of openings 55,56,57,57′ are arranged in alternatingcolumns A,B and alternating rows C,D. Specifically, a first column ofopenings A comprises a column of alternating first openings 55 and thirdopenings 57′. A second column B of openings adjacent the first column Acomprises a column of alternating second openings 56 and third openings57. As illustrated, the third openings 57 in the second column B have anorientation distinct from an orientation of the third openings 57′ inthe first column A. Similarly, the first row of openings C comprises arow of alternating first openings 55 and third openings 57. The secondrow of openings D adjacent the first row C comprises alternating secondopenings 56 and third openings 57′. Likewise, the third openings 57′comprise an orientation distinct from the orientation of the thirdopenings 57 in the first row C. The feed port 50 is preferably borderedabout its periphery with only the first columns A and the first rows C,and thus only the first openings 55 and the third openings 57,57′.

With reference to FIG. 3B, the first, second and third openings55,56,57,57′ are specifically adapted to correspond to a predeterminedaverage seed size, including a predetermined average seed maximumdimension, a predetermined average seed minimum dimension, and apredetermined average seed intermediate dimension for each of three seedtypes. More specifically, in the preferred embodiment, the firstopenings 55 comprise a generally square shape, with a 3 millimeter(mm)×3 mm profile. The first openings 55 are sized to correspond to themillet or milo seed 102, having an average size of 3 mm×2 mm×2 mm asshown in FIG. 4A. The second openings 56 comprise a generally squareshape, with a 7 mm×7 mm profile corresponding to the black oil sunflowerseed 106 having a 12 mm×6 mm×4 mm average size, as illustrated in FIG.4C. The third openings 57,57′ comprise a generally rectangular shape,with a 3 mm×7 mm (or 7 mm×3 mm) profile. Referring to FIG. 4B, the thirdopenings 57,57′ correspond to the sunflower kernel 104 having a 9 mm×4mm×3 mm average size.

It should be understood that each of the seeds 102,104,106 areorganically shaped, and thus can varying in size by as much as 25% inany direction. As a result, each first opening 55 should be between 1.5mm and 3.75 mm in each dimension, each second opening 56 should bebetween 4.5 mm and 15 mm in each dimension, and each third opening57,57′ should be between 3 mm and 11.25 mm in each dimension. Thediagonal dimensions of at least the second and third openings 56,57,57′are less than the maximum dimension of the corresponding seed 104,106,aiding in the retention of the seed within the reservoir, while notinhibiting the seeds' ability to be removed by a feeding bird in selector predetermined orientations thereof. Likewise, each of the first,second and third openings 55,56,57,57′ is larger or greater than themiddle dimension of the corresponding seeds 102,104,106, such that theseed may be pulled through the opening in an at least partially axial orlongitudinal orientation by a feeding bird. In this way, embodiments ofthe present disclose are specifically configured to limit the withdrawalof seeds to specific orientations of an average seed (e.g., with theirmajor dimensions oriented generally or at least partially axiallythrough the opening), while preventing the passage of seeds which arearranged with their major dimensions arranged generally parallel to thefaces of the openings. Further, by ensuring the dimensions and shape ofeach opening closely corresponds to that of a particular seed, instancesof clogging are reduced by limiting or preventing two seeds from beingsimultaneously introduced into a single opening.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D, embodiments of the feed portmay be constructed in varying sizes. Specifically, FIG. 5A comprisesthree rows of openings C,D,C and three columns of openings A,B,A.Similarly, FIG. 5B comprises three columns and five rows, FIG. 5Ccomprises five rows and five columns, and FIG. 5D comprises five rowsand seven columns. In each of the exemplary embodiments, the top andbottom of each feed port comprise rows of openings C, and each lateralside comprises a column of openings A. In this way, each feed port isbordered entirely by the comparatively smaller openings, with thelargest openings 56 arranged generally in a middle of the port, orsurrounded on all sides by the smaller first and second openings55,57,57′. Having the larger openings 56 bordered on each side bysmaller openings aids in locking or retaining seeds within thereservoir, reducing unwanted leakage or spillage.

Still referring to FIGS. 5A-5D, in order to achieve the stated goals ofreduced feed spillage and clogging, while permitting suitable seedaccess and extractability, the ratio of the total cross-sectional areaof the wire W to the total area of the feed port is in the range of20-35%, and more advantageously 25-30%. Likewise, the ratio of the totalarea of the first openings 55 to the total area of the feed port is inthe range of 5-20%, and more advantageously 10-20%. The ratio of thetotal area of the second openings 56 to the total area of the feed portis in the range of 15-40%, and more preferable 20-30%. The ratio of thetotal area of the third openings 57,57′ to the total area of the feedport is in the range of 30-40%.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 , an exemplary bird feeder 60 is shownwhich is fitted with a plurality of feed port assemblies 70 according toembodiments of the present disclosure. The exemplary feeder 60 includesa housing 62, which may be embodied as a two-part housing as shown anddescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 . The feeder 60 mayfurther comprise a removable top or lid 64 for accessing an interiorseed reservoir of the feeder, as well as a hanger attached to the lidand/or housing for securing the feeder in a desired location.

Each feed port assembly 70 includes one feed port 50 according to theabove-described embodiments, and a port body 72. The port body 72, suchas a molded polymer body, defines a port opening 74. With the feed portassembly 70 attached to the housing 62, the port opening 74 is alignedwith an opening formed through the housing, permitting access to seedretained within the feeder 60 through the feed port 50. The port body 72further defines a hood 76 extending radially outward and generally overthe port opening 74, and a perch 78 configured to provide a feeding birdstanding thereon access to the port opening. In the exemplaryembodiment, the port opening 74 comprises a circular opening, althoughother shapes are possible.

In one embodiment, the feed port 50 forms part of the assembly 70, andis arranged within or adjacent the port opening 74 of the body 72. Thefeed port assembly 70, including the feed port 50, may be selectivelyfitted over an opening formed through the housing 62. The opening in thehousing 62 may be larger than the port opening 74, such that the portbody 72 defines a cover blocking a first portion of the opening, andonly a second portion thereof is revealed through the port opening. Inthis way, characteristics of the feeder 60 may be adjustable. Forexample, a total feeding area of the feeder 60 as defined by the feedport assemblies 70 may be adjusted. Specifically, different port bodiesor covers having varying port opening sizes (including no openings) maybe selectively fitting over the openings in the feeder housing in orderto optimize the feeder during use. Likewise, feed port assemblies mayutilize different feed ports therein, with or without a change in theport opening size of the port body. For example, feed ports havingdifferent opening patterns and/or opening sizes may be utilized,allowing a single feeder to be selectively configured and reconfiguredfor use with, for example, different seed types. Other variations of thefeed port bodies are also envisioned, such as different perches, hoodsizes, and the like.

In other embodiments, the mesh feed port 50 may comprise a generallysquare or rectangular feed port arranged within and fixed to acorrespondingly-sized opening in the housing 62 of the feeder 60,similar to that shown and described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. In this embodiment, only the port body 72 of feed port assembly 70 maybe removable. The feed port body 72 is fitted over the feed port 50,wherein only the portion of the feed port corresponding to the portopening 74 is revealed. This arrangement also provides adjustabilityand/or reconfigurability, wherein a total feeding area defined by thefeed port assemblies may be adjusted by selectively fitting port bodiesof various port opening sizes. In some embodiments, a first portion ofthe feed port assemblies of a given feeder comprise a port openingand/or mesh feed port of a first type and/or size, and a second portionof the feed port assemblies comprise a port opening and/or mesh feedport of a second type and/or size, distinct from the first type or size.

As set forth above, port bodies according to the present disclosure mayalso be embodied as covers, without corresponding port openings formedtherethrough. Accordingly, for a feeder housing have a predeterminednumber of openings formed therethrough, the port bodies or covers may befitted over any or all of these openings, blocking access to the seedcontained within the feeder. In this way, a predetermined number offeeding locations defined by the feeder may be selectively altered, withother potential locations blocked from use. Such selective blocking maybe useful to, for example, limit feeding to a certain side of the feedervisible to a user, or for blocking the feeder completely during extendedperiods of desired non-use.

The ability to adjust or replace or eliminate the feed ports issignificant, as it has been determined that the total area of the feedport or ports compared to a total exterior surface area of the feederhousing is an important characteristic affecting feeder performance.Accordingly, the ability to alter this ratio according to any factor,such as varying seed types, birds or other animals of interest, and/orseason is particularly useful. In one embodiment, it has been determinedthat the total area of the feed ports should be less than 5% of thetotal exterior surface of the vessel or feeder housing, as theabove-described mixed mesh ports may become less effective the moresurface area of the vessel they cover. Further, as greater seed lossoccurs with greater mesh surface area, it may be advantageous to keepthe feed ports are small as possible.

The above-described embodiments of the present disclosure optimize theparticular size, shape and arrangement of the feed port openings toprovide unexpected functionality not present in prior art arrangements.These characteristics specifically address the particular problems foundin prior art feed ports, including seed retention and seed clogging, byway of example. The characteristics of opening size, shape and relativeorientation within the above-described periodic patterns defineresult-effective variables not recognized by the prior art.

These embodiments achieve the stated objectives with the greatestefficiency and overall performance. The embodiments described hereinprovide unexpected improvements in seed retention within the seedreservoir, while permitting selective extraction by a feeding bird. Theabove-described embodiments achieve seed loss of less than 1% undernormal conditions, including during filling operations. Further, the useof various opening sizes accommodates various beak sizes, creates alarge eating surface, and thus labor free sorting of seeds and feeding.The sifting nature of the multi-opening, multi-size mesh reduces oreliminates instances of blockage. Further, due to the verticalpositioning of the mesh port proximate a head or mouth of a standingbird and the varied opening sizes and accompanying varied eatingsurfaces, bird interaction with feeders fitted with these feed ports hasbeen improved, leading to longer feeding time and more feeder activity.

The foregoing descriptions and drawings should be considered asillustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. The embodimentsmay be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes and is not limited bythe dimensions of the preferred embodiment. Numerous applications of thepresent disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art.Therefore, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the specificexamples disclosed or the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may beresorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bird feeder comprising: a housing; a seedreservoir defined within the housing and including at least one seedaccess opening; and a mesh feed port fitted over the at least one seedopening, the feed port defining a periodic pattern of openings of aplurality of predetermined sizes in communication with the seedreservoir, the feed port arranged such that the plurality of openingsextend into a side of the feeder, the plurality of openings including: aplurality of first square openings sized to receive a first seed type ofa first size; a plurality of second square openings sized to receive asecond seed type of a second size greater than the first size; and aplurality of third rectangular openings of varying orientations sized toreceive a third seed type of a third size, the openings are arranged inrows and columns, wherein a first row of openings comprises a row ofalternating first openings and third openings.
 2. The bird feeder ofclaim 1, wherein each of the openings is rectangular, a first portion ofthe openings each comprise a height greater than their width and asecond portion of the plurality of openings each comprise a height lessthan their width.
 3. The bird feeder of claim 1, wherein the openingsare arranged in an alternating manner such that openings of apredetermined size are not arranged directly adjacent to other openingsof the same predetermined size.
 4. The bird feeder of claim 1, wherein asecond row of openings adjacent the first row of openings comprises arow of alternating second openings and third openings, wherein the thirdopenings of the second row of openings have an orientation distinct froman orientation of the third openings in the first row of openings. 5.The bird feeder of claim 4, wherein: a first column of openingscomprises a column of alternating first openings and third openings; asecond column of openings adjacent the first column of openingscomprises a column of alternating third openings and second openings,the third openings in the second column of openings having anorientation distinct from an orientation of the third openings in thefirst column of openings; and the feed port is bordered about itsperiphery with only first columns of openings and first rows ofopenings.
 6. A bird feeder, comprising: a housing; a seed reservoirdefined within the housing and including at least one seed accessopening; and a mesh feed port fitted over the at least one seed opening,the feed port defining a periodic pattern of openings of a plurality ofpredetermined sizes in communication with the seed reservoir, the feedport arranged such that the plurality of openings extend into a side ofthe feeder, the plurality of openings including: a plurality of firstopenings sized to receive a first seed type of a first size; a pluralityof second openings sized to receive a second seed type of a second size;and a plurality of third openings sized to receive a third seed type ofa third size, wherein the smallest dimension of each of the first,second and third openings is greater than the larger of the averagethickness or average width of a respective one of the first, second andthird seed sizes.
 7. The bird feeder of claim 6, wherein a diagonaldimension of each of the first, second and third openings is less thanthe largest dimension of a respective one of the first, second and thirdseed sizes.
 8. The bird feeder of claim 7, wherein the first seed typecomprises a millet or milo seed, the second seed type comprises asunflower kernel, and the third seed type comprises a black oilsunflower seed.
 9. A bird feeder comprising: a housing; a seed reservoirdefined within the housing and including at least one seed accessopening; and a feed port fitted over the at least one seed opening, thefeed port comprising a single mesh element defining a periodic patternof openings of a plurality of predetermined sizes in communication withthe seed reservoir, the openings including: a plurality of firstopenings sized to receive a first seed type of a first size; a pluralityof second openings sized to receive a second seed type of a second size;and a plurality of third openings sized to receive a third seed type ofa third size; wherein a smallest dimension of each of the first, secondand third openings is greater than the larger of an average thickness oran average width of a respective one of the first, second and third seedsizes; and a diagonal dimension of the second and third openings is lessthan the largest dimension of a respective one of the second and thirdseed sizes.
 10. The bird feeder of claim 9, wherein the mesh elementincludes a plurality of first segments extending in a first directionand a plurality of second segments extending in a second direction,distinct from the first direction, the first and second segmentsintersecting to define the periodic pattern of first, second and thirdopenings of the plurality of predetermined sizes.
 11. The bird feeder ofclaim 10, wherein the first segments include vertically extendingsegments and the second segments include horizontally extendingsegments, the openings arranged in rows and columns defined by the firstand second segments.
 12. The bird feeder of claim 11, wherein a firstrow of openings comprises a row of alternating first openings and thirdopenings.
 13. The bird feeder of claim 10, wherein the first and secondsegments comprise lengths of wire, and the first and second segments aremechanically joined at intersecting points thereof.
 14. The bird feederof claim 9, wherein the first seed type comprises a millet or milo seed,the second seed type comprises a sunflower kernel, and the third seedtype comprises a black oil sunflower seed.
 15. The bird feeder of claim9, wherein the openings are arranged in an alternating manner such thatopenings of a predetermined size are not arranged directly adjacent toother openings of the same predetermined size.
 16. The bird feeder ofclaim 9, wherein: the plurality of first openings comprise parallelogramopenings of a first size; the plurality of second openings compriseparallelogram openings of a second size, greater than the first size;and the plurality of third openings comprise a shape distinct from thatof the first openings and the second openings.
 17. The bird feeder ofclaim 9, wherein the ratio of a cross-sectional area of the mesh elementto a total area of the feed port including the openings is in the rangeof 20-35%.
 18. The bird feeder of claim 17, wherein: the ratio of thetotal area of the first openings to the total area of the feed port isin the range of 5-20%; the ratio of the total area of the secondopenings to the total area of the feed port is in the range of 15-40%;and the ratio of the total area of the third openings to the total areaof the feed port is in the range of 30-40%.
 19. The bird feeder of claim9, wherein the openings are arranged in rows and columns, including: afirst row of openings comprising a row of alternating first openings andthird openings; a second row of openings comprising a row of alternatingsecond openings and third openings, wherein the third openings in thesecond row of openings comprise an orientation distinct from anorientation of the third openings in the first row of openings; a firstcolumn of openings comprising a column of alternating first openings andthird openings; and a second column of openings comprising a column ofalternating third openings and second openings, the third openings inthe second column having an orientation distinct from an orientation ofthe third openings in the first column of openings.